Kenny: Why should we be surprised about winning?

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny praised his players' 'terrific display' in the aftermath of last night’s Europa League Group D victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv at Tallaght Stadium.

Kenny pointed to his team’s technical qualities as being the key to Thursday night’s incredible 1-0 win, the first time that an Irish side has won a match in the group stages of European football.

“I thought the players were absolutely terrific tonight,” Kenny told reporters after the match.

“We were very disciplined and creative, with our passing being very accurate and courageous.

“It all culminated in a big win for us tonight and a very impressive performance from us over all.”

“Football is about the players and I thought the players were terrific tonight. We asked them to do specific jobs, but they did more than that and they expressed themselves brilliantly.”

Matchwinner Ciaran Kilduff has continually been singled out by his team mates for his contribution this season, especially having suffered two injuries that threatened to end his season.

Kenny acknowledged the impact that Kilduff has on the side: “Ciaran Kilduff has shown that he is more than capable of coming up with the goods and he showed that coming up with the goal.”

Four years ago, Dundalk succumbed to a 7-0 hammering at Tallaght Stadium at the hands of Shamrock Rovers, who had sacked Kenny as manager earlier in that campaign. Incredibly, Kenny and Dundalk now sit within touching distance of three league titles in a row, as well as potentially reaching the knock-out stages of the Europa League.

According to Kenny, the players can and are still improving: “I think that the rate of improvement individually is there for all to see and I think collectively we’re getting better too.

“It’s a huge challenge this season with the league going the way that it is and it’s a big challenge and I understand that we have to enjoy tonight’s victory and enjoy these things in life, but we want to have an incredibly special season and we have to remain driven over the next few weeks.”

When Kenny was asked whether or not his team have surprised him, especially following their impressive European run, he insisted that they haven’t and that they are just taking the whole experience in their stride.

“Sometimes you don’t know, when you play BATE Borisov, AZ Alkmaar and Legia Warsaw you wonder where do they (Dundalk players) rank. If you ask me do they surprise me then the answer would have to be no.

“If we can beat BATE convincingly 3-0, and then go and dominate for long periods against Legia and then go and play like we did against AZ, then why should we be surprised at winning the game tonight?

“That’s the way I review it. There is not an incredibly euphoric feeling in the dressing room at the minute. Fellas are just taking it in their stride.”

Dundalk’s defence were immense against Maccabi, with Chris Shields also operating very efficiently in front of the back four. Kenny believes that continuity has a lot to do with their sturdiness as a defensive unit.

“I think the continuity of our back-four over the past couple of seasons has been very important. You know, it’s also very hard to leave Paddy Barrett out of the team, because he’s was terrific in the six games leading into the group stages.

“Sean Gannon, Dane Massey, Brian Gartland and Andy Boyle have been the consistent back-four over the last three seasons and I think they were absolutely tremendous tonight along with Chris Shields in that midfield role, who was really influential in the game.”

Dundalk’s fixture turnaround is swift with the Lilywhites facing Derry City on Sunday afternoon in the FAI Cup semi-final.

Kenny revealed that his attentions had shifted firmly to planning for the Candystripes’ visit and he also said following his consultation with Fearghal Kerin, the club’s physio, that he has a fully fit squad available for the match.

“My main concern now is Sunday. It’s an opportunity to get into an FAI Cup semi-final so it’s a big game for us.

“We have to move on quite quickly, that’s the nature of it at the minute. I think we came through tonight relatively unscathed.”